Geranium Geranium 'Melinda'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Geranium 'Melinda' is a plant with a striking appearance that stands out in any garden or container. The plant boasts lush, deep green foliage that provides the perfect backdrop for its showy flowers. The leaves of Geranium 'Melinda' are rounded, with a soft texture and slightly scalloped edges. As for the blossoms, they are notable for their vibrant pink color that commands attention. The flowers consist of rounded petals that come together to form a classic geranium bloom, which often appears ruffled or clustered, giving a full and abundant look. The blooms are carried on sturdy stems that rise above the foliage, creating a delightful contrast of color and form. The overall impression is one of lushness and vibrant color, making Geranium 'Melinda' a popular choice among gardeners looking for a plant that adds a pop of color and texture to their floral displays.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Geraniaceae.
- Synonyms
  Geranium 'Melinda', Melinda Geranium, Hardy Geranium, Cranesbill Geranium.
- Common names
  Pelargonium 'Melinda'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Geraniums, including the Geranium 'Melinda', are generally considered safe for humans and are not known to be toxic if touched or ingested in small amounts. However, some people may be sensitive to the plant and can experience mild irritation or an allergic reaction when they come into contact with the plant’s oils or sap. Ingesting large quantities of the leaves or other parts of the plant could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, but geraniums are not known for being dangerously toxic to humans.
- To pets
  Geraniums can be toxic to pets if ingested. The most common symptoms of geranium poisoning in pets, particularly in cats and dogs, may include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. In some cases, pets may also experience dermatitis if they come into contact with the plant. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to more serious symptoms such as anorexia, depression, and ataxia. If a pet has ingested a geranium and is showing any signs of illness, it is important to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Geranium 'Melinda' adds vibrant color and visual interest to gardens with its lush foliage and striking blooms.
- Easy Maintenance: This plant is known for being low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established in suitable conditions.
- Attracts Pollinators: Its flowers can attract bees and butterflies, which are important for pollination in the garden.
- Drought Tolerance: Geranium 'Melinda' is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in areas susceptible to water scarcity.
- Long Blooming Season: This plant typically has a long flowering period, providing color and interest throughout the growing season.
- Container Gardening: It is well-suited for container gardening, allowing it to be featured on patios, balconies, or other small spaces.
- Versatility: This geranium can be used in various landscape applications, such as borders, ground covers, or rock gardens.
- Deer Resistance: Geranium 'Melinda' is not a preferred plant for deer, making it a good choice in regions with deer pressure.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Edible Flowers: Geranium flowers are often used in salads, cakes, and teas for their flavor and decorative appearance.
- Natural Fabric Dyes: The vibrant flowers can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, yielding colors from soft pinks to rich blues and purples.
- Garden Bedding: Geraniums are frequently used in garden beds as companion plants, helping to deter pests from more sensitive plants.
- Ice Cubes: Petals from geranium flowers can be frozen into ice cubes to create an attractive and subtly flavored addition to drinks.
- Homemade Potpourri: Dried geranium leaves and petals can be added to potpourri mixes for their pleasant fragrance and color.
- Craft Projects: The diverse range of colors of geraniums makes them ideal for use in craft projects, such as pressed flower art.
- Natural Insect Repellant: Geranium oil is often used in natural insect-repellant formulations to ward off mosquitoes and other pests.
- Aromatherapy: The scent of geranium is used in aromatherapy for relaxation and to help reduce stress and anxiety.
- Traditional Symbolism: In some cultures, geraniums are used symbolically in ceremonies and traditions to represent health or friendship.
- Photography Subjects: Their vibrant colors and diverse forms make geraniums popular subjects for botanical photographers and artists.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Geranium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Geranium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Friendship: Geraniums are often associated with positive emotions and can symbolize close friendships or companionship.
- Health: Due to their traditional use in herbal medicine, geraniums can signify good health and a healthy lifestyle.
- Happiness: With their bright flowers and pleasant scent, geraniums are seen as a symbol of happiness and joyful times.
- Harmony: The plant is also symbolic of harmony and peaceful coexistence, often used in gardens to create a tranquil environment.
- Longevity: Some cultures view geraniums as a symbol of long life and enduring presence, likely related to their hardy and persistent nature.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Geraniums, including 'Melinda', should be watered thoroughly when the soil feels dry to the touch. The goal is to moisten the soil evenly without oversaturation. A general rule is to provide them with about 1 inch of water per week, but this can vary depending on factors like climate and the size of your plant. During hot, dry periods, you might need to water your geraniums every 3 to 4 days. In cooler, cloudy weather, watering once a week may suffice. Always allow the topsoil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
Light
Geraniums prefer bright, indirect sunlight and can also tolerate direct sunlight in the morning. Place 'Melinda' in a spot where it can receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. Too little light can lead to leggy plants, while too much direct afternoon sun might scorch their leaves, so find a balance for a healthy plant.
Temperature
Geraniums generally prefer a temperature range between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and not lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They can handle temperatures up to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit without stress. However, extended temperatures beyond this range, especially frosts and freezing temperatures, can damage or kill the plant.
Pruning
Prune your geraniums to promote bushy growth and prevent legginess, which is especially important after wintering indoors. The best time for significant pruning is early spring, but pinching back the growing tips and removing dead flowers can be done throughout the growing season. Prune every 8 to 10 weeks to encourage fresh growth and more blooms.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Geraniums prefer a soil mix that ensures good drainage, consisting of equal parts peat, perlite, and potting soil. The ideal soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.
Repotting
Geraniums should be repotted every 1-2 years, preferably in spring, to refresh the soil and provide space for growth.
Humidity & Misting
Geraniums thrive at average room humidity levels, between 40% to 60%.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright indirect light, avoid overwatering, and ensure good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Choose a sunny spot, shelter from strong winds, ensure well-draining soil.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
Geranium 'Melinda' starts its life as a seed, which when sown, will germinate generally within a few weeks given the right conditions of warmth and moisture. The seedling stage is marked by the emergence of the first true leaves, after which the plant enters a vegetative state where it focuses on leaf and stem growth. As the plant matures, it develops a strong root system and foliage, leading to the flowering stage where it produces characteristic pinkish-purple blooms that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers will fade, and the plant will produce seed pods, completing its reproductive cycle. Throughout the growing season, Geranium 'Melinda' may undergo multiple flowering phases, particularly if spent blooms are deadheaded to encourage more blooms. Finally, as a perennial, the above-ground parts of the plant die back in the winter, but the root system remains alive to regenerate the plant for the next growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Geranium 'Melinda', commonly known as cranesbill, is often propagated through stem cuttings, which is the most popular method. The ideal time for taking cuttings is in late spring or early summer when the plant has vigorous growth. To propagate by stem cuttings, a healthy, non-flowering shoot should be selected. Cut a 4 to 6 inch (10 to 15 cm) piece from the parent plant, just below a leaf node, and remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. Plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix in a pot, ensuring that at least two leaf nodes are buried in the soil. Water the cutting thoroughly and place it in a bright spot out of direct sunlight until roots have developed, which usually takes a few weeks.